Sloppy Mama’s Barbecue and Catering, web site, 5731 Lee Highway, Arlington, VA, 703-269-2718, closed Mondays. (Metro Trip Planner – opens in new window) [Google | Arlington Now | Washingtonian | Trip Advisor | Ylp]
A more authentic barbecue joint than I ever thought I would see in this area, full wood-burning pits, classic traditional style, you can see and smell the smoke before you enter. They claim it is fine with the regulators. As for the food, I would call it “quite good but maybe not yet at full potential”? I tried the brisket and the ribs, in both cases I thought it was the best stuff around in Northern Virginia, possibly this whole area. Not yet a wow, but certainly enjoyable and I hope they are able to take the next step, at the very least they have the basic infrastructure in place.
Do you consider Baltimore’s Pit Beef to be BBQ? I’d heartily recommend a sandwich from Pioneer Pit Beef in some unremarkable Baltimore suburb, the name of which I can’t remember. It’s definitely not traditional BBQ from the south, but you can certainly see a big pile of mostly un-split oak and smell the smoke.